if
Telly Savalas Lyrics


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If a picture paints a thousand words
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show
The you I've come to know
And if a face could launch a thousand ships

Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you
You're all that's left me too
And when my love for life is running dry

You come and pour yourself on me
If a man could be two places at one time
I'd be with you tomorrow and today

Beside you all the way
If the world should stop revolving
Spinning
Spinning slowly down to die

I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through




Then one by one the stars would all go out
Then you and I would simply fly away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Telly Savalas's song "If" is a romantic ballad that speaks about the power of love and the depth of emotions shared in a relationship. The song starts with the metaphor "If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you?" This line suggests that unlike a picture, that can convey a thousand words, the lyrics will never express the love and emotions that the singer feels for his lover. Additionally, the singer expresses that he knows and understands his partner better than any words can.


The song then transitions to the metaphor of a face that could launch a thousand ships. It emphasizes how the singer's lover is the center of his universe, and he sees her as a beautiful and unique creature. The image of launching ships suggests that the singer would go to great lengths to be with her, and there's no one else in the world except for her. Later in the song, the singer talks about how when his love for life is running dry, his lover is the one who pours life back into him. The lines "If the world should stop revolving, spinning slowly down to die, I'd spend the end with you, and when the world was through," suggest that the singer's love is strong enough to last even after the world has stopped spinning.


The final lines describe how the stars would go out, and they would simply fly away into the sky after the world's end. This imagery feels like escaping the mortal world and becoming one with the lover. It suggests that love is eternal, and the singer's love for his lover is powerful enough to transcend even death.


Overall, "If" is a beautiful and poetic song that speaks about the power of love and its ability to transform our inner world.


Line by Line Meaning

If a picture paints a thousand words
If an image can express a thousand emotions


Then why can't I paint you?
Then why am I unable to paint a picture of you?


The words will never show
Words fail to convey


The you I've come to know
The real you that I've discovered


And if a face could launch a thousand ships
And if a face could evoke a thousand emotions


Then where am I to go?
Then how do I navigate away from it?


There's no one home but you
You're the only one for me


You're all that's left me too
You're my only solace too


And when my love for life is running dry
And when I lose my zeal for life


You come and pour yourself on me
You fill me up with your love


If a man could be two places at one time
Wishing for the ability to be in two places


I'd be with you tomorrow and today
I'd always be with you, present and future


Beside you all the way
I'd never leave your side, always be there for you


If the world should stop revolving
In case the world stops moving


Spinning, spinning slowly down to die
Slowly coming to an end


I'd spend the end with you
I'd spend the last moments with you


And when the world was through
And when the world is over


Then one by one the stars would all go out
The stars would disappear one by one


Then you and I would simply fly away
Then we would both fly away together




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Gates

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@cherokee16346

If a picture paints a thousand words
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show the you I've come to know
If a face could launch a thousand ships
Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you
You're all that's left me to
And when my love for life is running dry
You come and pour yourself on me
If a man could be two places at one time
I'd be with you
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way
If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die
I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through
Then one by one the stars would all go out
Then you and I would simply fly away



All comments from YouTube:

@lindabulsara2215

My love for Telly will never fade away. I still love Theo Kojak! ❤

@davefk

I loved his version of this song. I actually bought that record all those long 40 years ago. Listening now makes me sad and long for an era when I still had my parents, brother, aunts and uncles and not least friends, who are no longer alive.

@cassiesmum

Absolutely!!

@stevebbuk

+Dave Kelly Dave I'm in the same position. I seem to recall another version of this song with a montage but can't find it here.

@paulwelch1992

There was a different (earlier) version on the album 'Telly'

@saxyjones

This is really a joke version of the beautiful song originally written and performed by David Gates from the band Bread. Listen to the real version.

@georgethe100

magic words my friend brilliant

5 More Replies...

@FlorinPiersicJr1

To me it’s pure nostalgia. My mother had a little magnetophone, she recorded this song with a mic, I really think I listened to it for a thousand times. So glad I found it here.

@JP5466

The man... the myth... the LEGEND!

@mariumhawker7520

RIP Telly . Great Actor and Singer ❤

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